(a) Bishop Wu Released:
Chinese Bishop Wu, arrested on September 11 in southern Zhouzhi, has been released after five days of detention, according to a September 20 report from Asia News (for details on his arrest, click here). Since his release, Wu has been in the hospital suffering from a slight concussion which some observers believe to be the result of maltreatment during custody.
(b) Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo Released:
Asia News reported on September 26 that Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo was released on September 25 after more than ten months of "study sessions" by Chinese authorities. Upon his release, Zhiguo was able to meet with local priests; something he has been restricted from doing on previous occasions.
In April it was reported that Bishop Zhiguo was released from detention but remained under house arrest (click here for more). VOMC has since learned that he had not been released but underwent treatment in hospital and then returned to custody. Zhiguo has been detained at least eight times since January 2004.
(c) Guilty Verdict Overturned:
In March 2006, Li Huimin was sentenced to one year of "re-education through labour" for participating in an "illegal gathering" (for more details, click here). According to China Aid Association, a court in Henan Province revoked that sentence on August 20. While the court still considered the Easter celebration he was attending illegal, the sentence was revoked because of "inappropriate citation of the legal articles." It is believed this is the first such lawsuit won by a Christian in China.
Despite the good news, Bob Fu of China Aid Association notes: "It is still too early to believe it is a sign that the Chinese government is changing its policy on religious freedom, because the proper Christian gathering in this case is still considered illegal."
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